Atari Jones

Toronto producers Eytan Tobin and beat sampras have linked up with Cleveland rapper Atari Jones on “Cosmic Ocean,” a kaleidoscopic foray into psychedelic rap territory. This collaboration took shape remotely over the course of six months, as it was passed back and forth between Tobin and Jones, before it was handed off to beat sampras for the finishing touches. - Complex

It's Saturday morning and, apart from that vat of Cocoa Puffs you're about to dive into, you're in need of some serious rap on the ol' headphones. Atari Jones has got you covered, thankfully. He comes to you, dear listener, from the vein of "indie stoner rap," the sort of chillwave-meets-trance-meets-EDM stuff that originated in the 1990s. - Cleveland Scene

5 On It is a feature that looks at five of the best under-the-radar rap findings from the past week, highlighting new or recently discovered - Piegons and Planes

This afternoon, Complex Magazine featured a list that ranked Cleveland amongst other up-and-coming hip-hop markets. Cleveland fell in at number 6. The magazine pointed out Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s 90s hit single “1st of Tha Month”, the tireless touring of more recent acts such as King Chip and Machine Gun Kelly, and the hard-working nitty-gritty nature that artists such as Kid Cudi present -and a nature that Cleveland’s reputation is based upon. Complex also pointed out Cleveland’s least underrated contribution to the genre as melodies and harmonies featured in smash hits such as Day’n’Nite and Thuggish Ruggish Bone. With Cleveland’s music scene constantly birthing talent that often goes unheard to the rest of the masses, acts that display potential to reach mainstream popularity aren’t few and far between. Artists receiving international attention such as Tezo, Lorine Chia and Atari Jones display what the Complex article said in the final bit stating, “They don’t tend to ask for attention but Cleveland’s artists consistently show they deserve it.” Complex also gave a shout to rising Cleveland MC, NicX as one of the key players in Cleveland’s making the list as well. - LeakJones

2015 was a huge year for Canadian music, and our playlists were better for it. Drake, Justin Bieber, and The Weeknd dominated the charts, but the Northern takeover didn’t stop there—a new wave of Canadian talent emerged this year, and with that new wave came a barrage of bangers, heaters, slappers, and yes, even “big chunes.” It was a year of pure flames emanating from the North. - Complex